Inside Slant

The Sports Xchange

December 20, 2018 at 1:01 pm.

WR Fitzgerald insists his future in undecided

If Sunday’s game against the Rams at State Farm Stadium is going to be the last home game of his brilliant 15-year NFL career, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald isn’t saying. That’s because the future Hall of Famer swears he doesn’t know if this will be his last year or not.

“No clue,” he said.

Typically, Fitzgerald gets away from football for about six weeks after the season before he makes a decision on whether to continue playing. That’s the way it’s been the last few times he’s entered the offseason with uncertainty about his future and/or his contract situation.

Fitzgerald isn’t under contract for next season, but if he wants to play in 2019, the Cardinals will have no problems offering him a one-year deal to return. He’s 35 and has shown no real signs of slowing down, even in an offense that has struggled all season to move the ball and score points. Fitzgerald, though, hasn’t been tipping his hand as it relates to this being the end or not.

There is hope that the Cardinals have found their franchise quarterback in rookie Josh Rosen and that they not only will have nearly $80 million available in cap space to bring in more players but also will be picking incredibly high in the draft. At 3-13, Arizona is presently in line to have the No. 1 overall pick.

The losses have begun to pile up on Fitzgerald, however.

“I mean, it’s disturbing, it’s frustrating. You hate it, but I try to find the silver lining in everything,” he said. “It’s the holiday season. My kids are healthy. I mean, I’m no different than anybody else. I’m frustrated at work, but there’s a lot to be thankful for.”

Will he feel any different when he runs through the tunnel for player introductions before Sunday’s game against the Rams?

“No different than any other game,” Fitzgerald said. “Honed in and ready to play as I have the hundreds of other times I have done it.”

Has he thought about the possibility that this might be his last home game ever?

“It may. It may not,” he said. “NFL careers end every Sunday. I’m just blessed to be able to play the game I love.”

Fitzgerald did say that he won’t play anywhere else, that if it’s not with the Cardinals, he won’t look to extend his career with another team in hopes of trying to win a Super Bowl.

“I have never had any desire to play anywhere else,” he assured. “I started here.”

And now it seems clear he’ll finish there, too. But how will he know he’s ready to retire? Fitzgerald’s three most productive seasons of his career came from 2015-2017. He’s only one season removed from those numbers.

During that time, he’s climbed into second place all-time in NFL history behind Jerry Rice (22,895) in receiving yards (16,190). With 1,293 career receptions, he also needs just 33 more catches to surpass Tony Gonzalez (1,325) and move into second place all-time behind Rice (1,549).

If he decides to retire, can he be sure he’s making the right decision?

“I have spoken with many guys who have played in the past and they say you will know when it’s time,” Fitzgerald said.

SERIES HISTORY: 80th regular-season meeting. Rams lead series, 39-38-2. Arizona is 18-18-2 in the series at home, but the Rams have won the last three meetings at State Farm Stadium. The Rams have won the last three meetings overall, outscoring the Cardinals by a 99-16 margin, and two of those were shutouts as LA toppled Arizona last year in London, 33-0, and beat the Cardinals in Week 2 at home, 34-0.